Chapter 647 Return Gift to Charles
Falkenhayn was conservative about Admiral Scheer's statement.
"General," he asked Admiral Scheer, "We are all worried about one thing. If the British also master such technology, or master such technology in the future, and they also have a strong navy, will our situation be even more pessimistic?"
After saying this, Falkenhayn turned the nautical chart on the coffee table around, but the person facing it was not Admiral Scheer but Kaiser Wilhelm II.
William II saw it clearly, and the excitement on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by worry.
"Yes." William II said thoughtfully: "Once the British have this technology, they can use this bomber to block the English Channel and the northern seaport. They don't even need to deploy the main fleet nearby!"
Admiral Scheer still maintained a confident smile: "Your Majesty, Chief of the General Staff, do you think Charles will hand over this technology to the British?"
"What do you mean?" William II asked back, his eyes full of confusion.
France and Britain are allies, so isn't it right for France to share its technology with the British?
Admiral Scheer took the briefcase he was carrying calmly, took out a document from it and handed it to William II, saying calmly:
"Your Majesty, this is the recent cooperation between the French Fleet and the British Royal Fleet."
"I learned something illogical: British destroyers can never detect submarines like French destroyers can."
William II, who was looking at the document, raised his eyebrows: "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure." Admiral Scheer nodded. "At the same time, I also heard that Charles is expanding his shipping insurance business and agrees that those insured shipping companies, including British shipping companies, will join the French escort team."
William II understood immediately: "What a smart guy, this will bring him huge benefits."
Falkenhayn saw more than just benefits: "That is to say, Charles will never hand over the technology of detecting submarines to the British!"
"Of course." Admiral Scheer replied confidently: "Once it is handed over to the British, Charles' insurance business will be damaged, the British fleet will take away his business, and even exclude the French fleet."
"Yes." William II agreed: "The British have always wanted to exclude the French fleet, but now they have to let the French fleet participate in the escort, and participate deeply."
Falkenhayn suddenly realized: "So, although the French and British fleets are allies on the surface, they are actually in a competitive relationship."
"You can say that." Admiral Scheer emphasized: "I am not sure about the attitude of the French Parliament. Many of them have been bought by the British. They will sell out French interests and stand on the side of Britain. But Charles..."
Falkenhayn replied: "It is impossible for the Shire to be bought by England."
William II was puzzled: "Why not?"
"Your Majesty," Falkenhayn replied, "if a man has the ability to control the military, politics and commerce of the entire country, and even has the possibility of controlling Parliament to make it serve him, do you think he can still be bought by Britain?"
William II understood immediately: "He is the emperor of this country. He represents the interests of France. If he is bribed by Britain, he will be the dumbest fool!"
Falkenhayn nodded:
"Yes, this person is Charles."
"France can almost be considered his property. Although it is not yet, it may become so in the near future."
"And if France is his property, he certainly can't sell it out. This would be against himself!"
Admiral Scheer added: "Moreover, he is a natural enemy of Britain, because Britain does not want France to rise strongly under Charles' leadership, or even surpass her."
William II's eyes widened, and he was shaking with excitement. He almost couldn't hold the document in his hand steadily. "Did I hear you correctly? You mean, we can... possibly become Charles' allies?"
Falkenhayn looked at Admiral Scheer with envy, and said in a voice with a hint of sadness and loss: "This may only be limited to the navy, Your Majesty."
William II understood what this meant.
On the ocean, France and Germany faced a powerful opponent: the British Royal Navy, so they could become allies.
But on land, Germany still occupied large tracts of French territory and attempted to attack Paris a year ago. How could it be an ally?
But William II couldn't help laughing: "Even this is enough. It's hard to believe that we can become Charles' allies."
Then William II seemed to have thought of something, and asked Admiral Scheer with a worried look:
“Did we make a mistake?”
"What I mean is that we should attack the British Royal Navy, not the convoy that raided the Shire."
"Will Ciel change his mind because of this and affect our relationship..."
William II wanted to say the word "cooperation", but found that this word seemed inappropriate.
"No, Your Majesty," Admiral Scheer replied. "I think on the contrary, this is the beginning of our cooperation."
"What?" William II and Falkenhayn looked at Admiral Scheer at the same time.
Admiral Scheer took a few telegrams from his bag and handed them over, explaining:
"Your Majesty, this is a telegram from the reconnaissance plane and Major General Cavis."
"Major General Cavis believed that the French fleet had the strength to expand the victory, but they did not do so."
"At the same time, our reconnaissance aircraft also discovered that there was another bomber squadron on the periphery that was not involved in the battle, and this bomber squadron was confirmed to be carrying torpedoes."
William II's face instantly lit up with joy: "Does this mean Charles is showing mercy?"
Admiral Scheer nodded and smiled.
If the French fleet did not expand its victory in order to protect merchant shipping, then it is certain that bombers were not involved in the battle.
Falkenhayn turned his gaze from the telegram to Admiral Scheer: "Do you have a feeling that Charles's sending in torpedo bombers at this time is a warning to us?"
"Yes." Admiral Scheer replied: "So, this is not a mistake he made, but he did it on purpose. The purpose is... to prompt us to develop bombers to break through the British blockade!"
Finally, Admiral Scheer concluded: "So, of course, Charles would not give this technology to the British. This is not in his interest, nor in the interest of France."
The more William II thought about it, the more he felt that it was right. He stood up with a bang and said firmly: "Develop bombers immediately, the sooner the better. This is our chance, and it may be our last chance. We must not let it go easily!"
Then he added: "In addition, submarines and fast fleets are targeting British convoys."
This was William II's return gift to Charles: by only attacking the British escort fleet and not the French fleet, Charles' French fleet would be turned into a "quality assurance", and it would not be long before merchant ships and supplies would be under Charles' control.
This is also a hint: We know what you are thinking, and we will cooperate with you to attack the British Royal Navy.
(End of this chapter)
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